Gay-marriage groups differ on timing

The timing of a proposed Ohio same-sex marriage amendment, and the inclusion of an exemption for religious institutions, continue to divide two gay-activist groups supporting the issue.

Alan Johnson, The Columbus Dispatch

The timing of a proposed Ohio same-sex marriage amendment, and the inclusion of an exemption for religious institutions, continue to divide two gay-activist groups supporting the issue.

EqualityOhio officials say this year is too early for a campaign to overturn the state’s 10-year-old constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. They also question the proposed ballot language, including the right of religious organizations to refuse to perform or recognize such unions.

“We are waiting to win and not running to lose,” said Michael Premo, manager of the Why Marriage Matters Ohio education campaign. “A win here would be a significant victory for our side. This is for all the marbles.”

But FreedomOhio representatives, who already have collected 650,000 signatures on a petition to put the issue on the statewide ballot, say the time is right and the support is there this year.

“We are an Ohio-based coalition with thousands of Ohio volunteers that includes a campaign team with more than 200 years of practical boots-on-the-ground (collective) experience,” said Ian James, FreedomOhio co-founder and executive director. “We are on track to collect

1 million signatures for marriage, and we remain open to anyone who wants to join us.”

The stakes are high because if the issue fails, it likely would not be resurrected quickly, perhaps not for years.

A clause in the proposed ballot wording that would provide a “religious institution” exemption is a flashpoint of disagreement. As approved by Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted’s office, the issue says “no religious institution shall be required to perform or recognize a marriage.”

In a meeting yesterday with Dispatch editors, Premo questioned the 46-word amendment and the exemption.

“We’re taking a deep dive on the ballot language to see if it does what it’s supposed to do,” he said. “There are questions we need to take a closer look at.”

Premo said the exemption potentially could be used by a hospital affiliated with a church or religious group as the rationale for denying spousal rights to a same-sex couple. He said EqualityOhio would not support the amendment if it disagrees with the wording.

New language would mean starting over with a new petition drive to collect 385,245 valid signatures of registered Ohio voters.

The timing of when the issue hits the ballot also is in dispute. If the campaign goes to the ballot this year, the big-ticket race is the re-election bid of Gov. John Kasich; in 2016, it would be the presidential election.

Washington-based GOP pollster Neil Newhouse, who worked for Kasich’s and Mitt Romney’s campaigns, said the challenge in passing a same-sex marriage issue is turning out supporters. “The voters who feel most strongly about this are anti-gay marriage,” he said. “The pro side will have to turn out low-propensity, younger voters. It’s easier to turn out those voters in a presidential year. In a low-interest gubernatorial year, it’s much more difficult.

“The local guy wants Ohio to make a statement and flip on this issue, but running this year is very, very risky for them.”

Citizens for Community Values, the Cincinnati-based conservative group that led the charge for the 2004 constitutional amendment, is gearing up for a fight, whether it’s this year or in 2016, Phil Burress said. He predicted previously that putting the issue on the ballot this year “spells victory for John Kasich.”

Burress said the gay-marriage amendment on the 2004 ballot helped turn out GOP voters and secure a re-election victory for President George W. Bush.

Yesterday, the group circulated an email predicting that churches would get sued if Ohioans legalize same-sex marriage.

ajohnson@dispatch.com

@ohioaj

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